Makerere University Lung Institute Boards Inaugurated
The Vice Chancellor, Makerere University Professor John Ddumba-Ssentamu has
inaugurated the boards of Makerere University Lung Institute (MULI).
The main aim of the MULI is to stimulate high quality lung health research, training and
clinical care programmes within the university in order to improve lung health of
Ugandans and beyond. The MULI was established under the auspices of the Lung
Consortium International.
To support the smooth running of the MULI activities; two boards were established;
1) the Board of Governors and Trustees with the following membership:
1. Prof. Charles Ibingira- Principal Makerere University College of Health
Sciences as Chair
2. Prof. Thys van der Molen- University of Groningen, The Netherlands,
Co-Chair
3. Dr. BB Byarugaba – Executive Director Mulago Hospital
4. Prof Nelson Sewankambo- Professor of Medicine, Makerere University
5. Dr. Francis Adatu, Ministry of Health Uganda
6. Dr. Jacinto Amandua -Commissioner clinical services
2. Institute Technical Board with the following membership
1. Prof Isaac Okullo- Deputy Principal Makerere University College of
Health Sciences - Research and Innovation committee as Chair
2. Dr. Frederik van Gemert- University of Groningen -Education and
training committee & co-Chair
3. Dr. Josephine Kasolo- Head of Physiology MakCHS- Education and
training committee
4. Prof Moses Joloba- Dean School of Biomedical Sciences MakCHSResearch and Innovation committee
5. Dr. Alphonse Okwera – Mulago Hospital -Research and Innovation
committee
6. Dr. Frank Mugabe Program Manager TB, MoH- Education and training
committee
7. Dr. William Worodria-Mulago Hospital - Senior Consultant PhysicianClinical services committee
8. Dr. Anna Nakanwagi – Executive Director Union Uganda- Education
and training committee
9. Dr. Abel Nkolo- WHO National Professional Officer TB - Research and
Innovation committee
10.
Dr. Fred Nakwagala- Mulago Hospital- Clinical services
committee
11.
Dr. Okot Nwang –President UTS- Clinical Services
12.
Dr. Simon Kasasa- MakCHS- Research and Innovation
committee
13.
Dr. Achilles Katamba- MakCHS- Research and Innovation
committee
14.
Dr.
committee
Rebecca
Nantanda-
Pediatrics-
Clinical
services
Dr. Bruce Kirega was appointed the Institute Director and Dr. Rupert Jones of the
University of Plymouth, UK as Co-Director.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Prof. John Ddumba-Ssentamu thanked the
partners behind the establishment of the Institute, saying that their efforts contribute
towards supporting the University perform its function better. Her thanked the board
members for accepting the responsibility and urged them to ensure that they fulfill their
mandate. On behalf of University management, he pledged to work hard to make sure
that the Institute is successful. He therefore urged all stakeholders, with the leadership
of the College of Health Sciences to mobilise resources for acquisition of space for the
Institute.
The Principal, College of Health Sciences, Prof. Charles Ibingira said that apart from
malaria, other killers in Uganda are respiratory tract diseases. He said establishment of
the Lung Institute is therefore a significant occurrence in the life of the College of Health
Sciences. He said the Institute will work hard to counter these and reduce on mortality
especially of children. He said by fulfilling its mandate, the Institute will be fulfilling a
core function of the University.
Professor Charles
Ibingira speaking at the
ceremony
In a presentation on ‘Chronic Lung Diseases in Sub Saharan Africa’, Prof. Frederik van
Gemert said that 2 out of 3 global deaths are attributable to NCDs; 4 out of 5 are in lowand middle-income countries (LMICs). He said matters are complicated by the fact that
in LMICs “people tend to develop NCDs at an early age, suffer longer (often with preventable
complications) and die sooner than those in high income countries”.
He said in Uganda, chronic diseases include diabetes, hypertension, Chronic
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), epilepsy and HIV infection with the total
disease burden of NCDs at 50%. Singling out COPD in reference to a survey that was
done in Masindi District, he shared that typically a person with COPD doesn’t have a
diagnosis; accepts symptoms and limitations as part of life; has no idea about risk
factors; has no medication; is often stigmatised and has a low trust in health centres.
He singled out the heavy reliance on use of biomass for cooking as a key source of
COPD.
Source of COPD: A typical biomass kitchen in a poor
rural household
Prof. Frederik van Gemert said the future lies in increasing public and policymaker
awareness about respitatory diseases and treatment challenges.
Presenting on the ‘Role of Research Institutes in Disease Epidemic Responses’, Prof.
Nelson Sewankambo mentioned the double burden of infectious diseases and NCDs
yet countries like Uganda lack enough resources to counter them, including in research
power. He added that poor countries like Uganda have the weakest public health
infrastruture ariund the world. He mentioned the importance of researchers working with
communitiesd to ensure that interventions put in place are acceptable at that level. He
urged researchers, practitioners, regulators and communities to form a more perfect
relationship for the realisation of suhc interventions.
Professor Sewankambo
demonstrates a point
Using the examples of Uganda Cancer Institute and Infectious Diseases Institute, in
terms of the sustainability of the Lung Institute, he noted that if it is taken forward in a
proactive manner, it can grow from a very humble idea to a large structure.
On Establishing and Running academic Institutes, Prof Thys Van der Molen of the
Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD, noted that setting up
multidisciplinary teams is a key element in conducting research that addresses the
country’s development needs. He also pointed out that such teams can support and
help each other quite ably. He emphasised the importance of structures that can enable
people to see each other and get to know what others do. He also noted the importance
of using an integrative approach for the translation of research in basic sciences and
inclusion of primary health care where most of the patients are managed.
He concluded that the societal relevance of the institute can be assessed through
communication with the general public, communication with patients and families as
well as improved patient outcomes.
Professor Thys
The Institute Director, Dr.Bruce Kirenga noted that despite the increasing burden of
NCDs and communicable lung diseases, there is still national lack of interest in some
key issues. He noted that in the recently concluded national NCD survey, asthma was
not included in the questionnaire. He said lung disease presents a major threat to good
health worldwide. He said despite the high burden, there are few health care providers
in countries like Uganda with one physician for every 24,000 people as compared to
countries like The Netherlands with one physician for every 320 people.
Dr. Kirenga pointed out the the ubiquitous risk factors like outdoor air pollution that
make it challenging for most people to realise their real danger due to their non-tangible
nature.
He said the aim of the
MULI is to improve the
lung health of people in
Uganda and beyond
through awareness
creation, reduction of
exposure to risk factors,
provision of cost effective
and efficacious diagnostic
and treatment
interventions; and training
high caliber community
oriented lung health care
professionals.
Some of the members of the
board of governors and
trustees pose for a group
photo with the VC after
inauguration
Some of the members of
the technical board after
inauguration